"I apologize, Admiral Residual Fire. Given my current status, I hope you can understand my hesitation," Jinbe said.
Ezra waved his hand.
"My purpose in coming here this time… is actually you."
The room fell silent.
"Um, Admiral Vale, what do you mean by that?" King Neptune asked from his throne.
Ezra shrugged and explained to everyone:
"'Shichibukai' just five words."
In an instant, the meaning clicked for everyone. Ezra was inviting Jinbe to join the Shichibukai.
All eyes turned to Jinbe.
"So, what do you say, Jinbe?" Ezra asked, casually swirling his drink.
Jinbe thought for a moment.
"If I refuse… will you eliminate me here and now?"
A faint smile curved Ezra's lips.
"Yes, indeed."
Hearing this, Jinbe replied firmly:
"In that case, I will join the Shichibukai. I will even obey the Navy. But I ask one condition of Admiral Vale."
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"Help Fish-Man Island through its current crisis."
"Jinbe! What are you doing?" Neptune exclaimed anxiously. He had hoped to request Ezra's help, but not by having Jinbe swear loyalty to the Navy.
Jinbe held up his hand to stop Neptune.
"King Neptune, this is my decision alone. It has nothing to do with Fish-Man Island."
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"That is your only condition?"
Jinbe met Ezra's gaze and nodded solemnly. He was tense. After all, as a pirate, could he really trust a Navy Admiral so easily?
His heart raced, and then Ezra answered:
"Very well. I accept this condition."
"What?!" Jinbe was stunned. Could Ezra really trust a pirate?
Ezra waved dismissively.
"I'm not trusting the pirate Jinbe. I am trusting the sea knight Jinbe."
Jinbe shivered at the words.
"Admiral Vale… having someone like you in the Navy is an honor."
"You flatter me, Jinbe. Now, tell me exactly what happened."
Jinbe nodded and recounted everything: the assassination of Princess Otohime and the killing of the human culprit.
Ezra listened carefully, forming a plan in his mind. He already knew from past accounts that the mastermind behind the scene was Hody Jones. He also knew that Hody's target was the deadly E.S. drug, sealed in the Jade Chest a substance that could double a person's strength but at the cost of shortening their life.
"Has Hody Jones left the guard detail?" Ezra asked.
Both Jinbe and King Neptune paused, then nodded.
Ezra understood immediately. Since Hody had left the guard, he must have obtained the drug. Ezra looked at the expectant eyes of those around him and spoke deliberately:
"Hody Jones is the murderer of Princess Otohime. His goal was to seize the E.S. drug. If you don't believe me, check by now, all the drugs should be gone."
Neptune immediately ordered Sharkstar and Starfish to investigate.
After an anxious wait, the two returned to the palace.
"Father! The drugs… they've all disappeared!"
"What?! It's really him!" Neptune's face twisted with rage.
"How dare he kill my Otohime?!"
"Spread the word! Send troops to capture him!"
"Yes, Father!"
The two princes hurriedly left to carry out the orders. Meanwhile, the claim that Hody Jones was the murderer spread among all fish-men and merfolk. They realized they had been deceived.
Frenzied, the crowd began searching for Hody Jones.
Finally, at Gyoronkard Square, Hody was spotted.
"There! Capture him!"
Sharkstar roared and charged with his trident. Hody dodged, narrowly avoiding the attack.
Starfish shouted orders to the surrounding forces:
"Seal off the area! Notify Father!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
They then engaged Hody directly.
Back in Ryugu Palace, Neptune and the others received updates from their subordinates.
"Admiral Vale, are you coming?" Jinbe asked.
Ezra shrugged.
"Let's go. I'm bored anyway."
With Ezra's assurance, Neptune could no longer contain his anger.
"Let's go! I want to see him pay with my own eyes!"
"Yes, King Neptune!"
They arrived at the square. Hody Jones, caught between the two princes, was already struggling.
"Hody Jones! Surrender!"
Sharkstar shouted, thrusting his trident.
Hody's eyes flared crimson. In a panic, he grabbed a vial of the deadly drug and swallowed it.
A roar erupted. Hody's body grew massive, his pupils a deep, demonic red. His right hand became a claw.
"Shark's Claw!"
With overwhelming force, he crushed Sharkstar's trident.
Then, raising his head, Hody shot a barrage of high-velocity water jets at the two princes.
Jinbe's gaze sharpened. He stomped his foot, instantly appearing before the princes.
"Water Strike!"
He clenched his fist, sending a torrent of water down the jets, instantly neutralizing them.
"Princes, stand back. I'll handle this."
They reluctantly nodded and withdrew.
"Be careful, Jinbe," Starfish warned.
Jinbe nodded slightly.
"I understand."
His gaze locked on Hody Jones.
"You're a fan of the Sun Pirates. Why commit such a monstrous act?"
Hody snorted.
"The Sun Pirates changed! Under your leadership, they became weak! I will form a new Fish-Man pirate crew! And you… will die here!"
With that, he surged toward Jinbe.
"Sea Drum!"
A concentrated mass of water slammed at Jinbe.
Jinbe's eyes narrowed.
"You still have a long way to go in Fish-Man Karate!"
"Shark Fang Fist!"
The two attacks collided, churning the water violently, completely obscuring their forms.